Marine On A Mission

First Kill

Jessica was dressed and ready. Quartz was getting the team loaded up to head out. Jess climbed into the Humvee and rechecked all her ammo. She carried way more because she was a sniper. She thought it's better to have extra weight that the chance of no ammo to defend herself. Luke climbed in next to her along with Sam. The others went in the other Humvee. He picked up a walkie talkie.
"Let's go over the plan," he simply stated. He waited for an answer from the others.
"Copy"
"So when we ride up there should me a house. There are several sand dunes to hide behind. Jess will get up high and defend us while we move in. Sarah and Sam will stay near the vehicle in case something happens and help is needed. We'll clear the floors starting with the top. Are we clear?" Luke asked.
"Copy that commander"
Jessica knew her duty. She had to get up high and stay low. Easy enough but if she was ambushed she already knew she'd be facing hand to hand combat. The others may not reach her in time. Jessica pushed the thoughts to the back of her head and tried to loosen up.
"The more you think the less effective you'll be," Quartz stated.
"Don't remind me of my thoughts and I won't think. It's not the can I do it but it's the what ifs. Don't bother though I'm efficient," Jessica replied. Luke wasn't happy with her challenging him but he stayed silent. Sam sat uneasily and shifted around in her seat. Finally the Humvee came to a stop and everyone hopped out. Jessica waited for Luke to give her the go ahead. They all met up. Then he looked up at Jess and nodded. She returned the nod before running off to find her spot. She found a high peak with a few rocks for cover. She spoke into her ear piece.
"I'm in position," she stated. She heard Quartz say ok on the other end before telling everyone to move in. Jess knew not to shoot until they were on the top floor unless necessary. She looked through her scope. There was a man on the roof. He was about to turn around.
"Man on the roof. Get cover," Jess whispered. She saw the three guys hide behind a rock.
"Take care of him"
She heard her order. She took out her silencer and added it to the end of her gun. She focused in on the man. She knew a headshot was the only way. He'd die instantly and couldn't warn the others. She focused and pushed away the guilt that may follow. She pulled the trigger and her gun let out a tiny noise. Blood squirted out and the guys limp body hit the rooftop.
"He's down," Jessica whispered to her ear piece. The guys proceeded. The entered the building. She had a three minute count down until she was to start shooting. That was only if they didn't make it in time. She was at thirty seconds when she saw them exit out the roof. She got ready and they dropped multiple smoke bombs before closing the rooftop door. Jessica stayed aimed at the door. Soon men started running out shooting guns off randomly. She started shooting. The guys helped. She saw man after man drop. A few spotted her but didn't live to make it to her. Soon there was nothing but blood and bodies littering the sand. Jess was on high alert as she approached. She walked down after the bombs went off. They were happy as they walked out.
"Gotta be at least thirty of them," John said.
"Yeah, sad I didn't get one," Darren confirmed sadly.
"Why not?" I questioned.
"My gun jammed. John got two and Luke got five," Darren explained.
"You said there are at least thirty though. That's next to nothing what you just said," I stated. A confused look spread across my face. Luke stepped forward.
"You killed the other twenty three. Shocker now isn't it?" He inquired. He was smiling. Jess didn't think she killed that many. Jessica sighed before turning to the humvees. When they finally got out she went to her bunk and changed. She took off all her heavy stuff and traded her helmet for a hat. She walked back out and joined the team. They suddenly went silent.
"How'd you learn to shoot like that?" John asked.
"Training," she replied simply.
"That was more than training. A normal sniper would've taken out those men in thirty minutes or so. You took them out in ten," Luke spoke from his seat on the couch. Time to come clean Jess thought.
"I learned to handle a gun when I was four. I got my own at age ten. When I'd get mad I would set up cans. They always stayed in the same spot but I'd move farther and farther away. I'd stay at a certain distance until I mastered it. I guess I trained myself. Thanks to my family," Jessica smirked before grabbing a bottle of water and chugged it. Everyone stayed quiet.
"Well I'm happy to be with you rather than against you," Darren said trying to lighten the mood. Jess started to smile. People actually saw her instead of her family. She belonged here.  These people were her new family and it depended on her if they live. One little screw up and she may loose a family member. They were all joking and having a good time. They moved the party outside where there was a tent. There was a card table and some workout equipment. There were chairs and benches to sit on and enjoy the game. Jess sat at them bench and watched the others play cards. She couldn't help but wonder what her family was doing right now so far away. Were they worried a slight bit about her. Deep down Jess hoped they  were worried and mad about underestimating her.